Eric Lai, PS 1, Tottenville: The benefits of ballroom dancing

All New York City public schools should offer ballroom dancing to students. Recently, PS 3 in Staten Island went to a semi-final ballroom dancing competition in Manhattan. The dancers were all very excited and they all had a great time.

Ballroom dancing may sound boring, but when you get to do it and experience the great feeling, you will have so much fun. I know this is true because I also participated in ballroom dancing at my school. As a result of ballroom dancing, students learn how to be more mature, to rely on a partner, to respect others, and it also increases self-esteem. Even the teachers at PS 3 enjoyed the program when they danced with the students. Two students also said they enjoyed competing with other schools.

The program at PS 3 was created by Pierre Dulaine. Mr. Dulaine is the founder and artistic director at the American Ballroom Theater. Students first get to learn about the dance and then they get to dance. All students enjoyed ballroom dancing so I think it's a great idea and every school should be able to learn ballroom dancing.

Eric wrote his essay after reading Diane Lore's Chalk Talk column which ran in the South Shore edition of the Advance on Feb. 8.